Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team Is On For The Season

The summer swim season will look different for the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team this year. With the news that the Glasgow Swimming Pool will not reopen and calls for bids are currently out to build a new pool the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team had to be creative with how they will compete this year. Due to the hard work and dedication of the Swim Team board, comprised of Michelle Huntsman, Ashley Markle, Whitney Tatafu, Katie Knierim and Susan Murr, as well as the cooperation of other entities, the swim season will still continue, even without a Glasgow pool.

Under the direction of fourth year coach Ethan Shrader, parents and volunteer chaperones, younger swimmers will utilize the Cottonwood Inn pool three days a week to build on the necessary skills to be a good swimmer. “We will have small groups for one hour, three days a week, which will allow the younger swimmers to learn and perfect their strokes,” explained Huntsman. “We are hoping to be able to continue to grow our program, so this opportunity will allow us to teach the younger kids the necessary techniques at this young age.”

More experienced swimmers will also focus on continuing to master strokes while improving their endurance by getting pool time at Wolf Point three days a week. “Wolf Point has been amazing to work with. Whatever we need, they have been willing to work it out,” said Huntsman. These swimmers will also utilize the Dredge Cuts a week in July when the Wolf Point pool will not be available.

In addition to pool time, the swimmers will have dryland practice at Hoyt Park, which will focus on a healthy lifestyle, strength training and education on the right types of foods to eat. As Huntsman explained it, the Dryland sessions will be utilized to teach the swimmers things that can’t be taught and taken into the water. These sessions will also be very parent driven, with Markle also providing her expertise as the cardiopulmonary rehab manager at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.

Parent involvement, in addition to community volunteer involvement, is very much needed the season as the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team board needs adult chaperones to accompany the swimmers to the Cottonwood and Wolf Point. “You don’t have to be a member of the swim team in order to volunteer,” stressed Huntsman.

Practice will officially begin on June 1, and the team still plans on attending meets throughout the session. The first meet is scheduled in Harlem June 3 and 4 and then in Plentywood the following weekend. Huntsman expressed gratitude for how accommodating Wolf Point, the Valley County Transit and the Cottonwood have been in making things work in order to have a swim team season. “The board has been meeting monthly since the first of the year in order to develop a plan for this year. We are very happy to have come up with this solution,” explained Huntsman.

The Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team held a registration meeting on April 17, however are still welcoming any swimmer who might want to join this season. This year’s fee will include the necessary pool passes as well as the transportation to Wolf Point, if needed by the family.

Huntsman advises to sign up sooner than later in order to ensure accurate bus count and uniform ordering. To register or with any additional questions regarding the season, contact any board member or email [email protected].